Shame on you TCAL

Posted on 19-05-2011 11:02 | By methinks

How embarrassing it is to be a ratepayer of Tauranga and have to view these photos and know that there are people out there that actually pay to use this rundown facility!! TCAL have been too wound up over their pet project The Mount Hot Pools! How many of the board members have even visited the Otumoetai Pools? They should be ashamed of themselves letting a council asset get as run down as this, AND heads will still not roll. Why is there no accountability TCC? If they were simple employees they would be fired, but no, we are forced to listen to excuses and watch as they continue along their merry way spending ratepayer money on their own pie in the sky dreams and needless court cases. From these photos it is quite obvious that the board of TCAL are not carrying out the job they were put there to do, how do these people keep their jobs??? Maybe it's not what you know but who you know!

What a disgrace

Posted on 19-05-2011 11:08 | By Tonia

If the standard of care for the buildings is like this, makes you wonder what the standard of the water is like?

Otumoetai Swimming Club

Posted on 19-05-2011 11:40 | By watchdog

Having the Otumoetai Swimming club manage this facilty would be a disaster. Swimming club members are leaving the Otumoetai CLub in droves due to poor management and going to the Greerton and Baywave Clubs. If they cannot retain members, how could they run a facilty like this up to the proper standard. It would also allow for them to dictate when the public can use a pool. This is what has occurred at the Kati Kati pool, and that facility runs at a loss due to public not being able to use the pool due to swimming club and masters swimming dictatorship. Public pools should be just that - publically owned for all of the public to benifit from.

Pool & Water quality

Posted on 19-05-2011 11:47 | By Murray.Guy

TCAL chose to hold back on basic repairs and significant upgrades while completing a audit of the 'actual pool' and associated equipment. It was suggested the pool structure might be at risk. This has taken longer than anticipated. Fortunately the audit has given the 'ALL CLEAR' with a minimum 10 year anticipated useful life ahead. TCAL staff advise that regular testing of the water ensures it meets all appropriate standards.

let swim club have it...

Posted on 19-05-2011 12:49 | By Mr bay

Since moving to TGA have been to this pool a couple of times but found it crowded with swimming club leaving just two lanes for public if that. Not been back because of this might as well let them have the whole swimming complex. It only has 10 years left anyway.

So who got sacked?

Posted on 19-05-2011 13:09 | By Tony

Ahhhh Bet ya noone got sacked....It was as usual "Not my fault"

Keep saying it

Posted on 19-05-2011 13:29 | By Openknee8ted

Get rid of TCAL. All the money is spent on the staff(not the pool staff) including $50K for a new vehicle for the boss. Nothing spent on the pools. Millions wasted by TCAL. It is not rocket science it is a hole in the ground full of water, with a fence around it and a changing room.

PS Well done

Posted on 19-05-2011 13:30 | By Openknee8ted

Murray Guy, thank you.

More Council Incompetence

Posted on 19-05-2011 14:21 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

ANOTHER example of why many of our Council should be replaced!!! Obvious OSH issues, and rot not only in the sheds. Well done TCAL and your masters, roll on the next elections.

you get what you (don't ) pay for

Posted on 19-05-2011 14:33 | By al pillocksworth

Just reading all the grizzles and demands for freebies over the last week (cycle track, hockey, art gallery) its clear that everyone expects someone else to pay. This pool should be maintained in fair share by the public who use it and the school who use it, and the swimming club who use it. No wonder schools want ratepayers to take over their pools all over the city. They seem very expensive to run. But I'd like to know the salaries paid to keep TCAL running. Put it out to tender.

Posted on 19-05-2011 14:55 | By Fonzie

The council cant run these facilities by their own admission and the quangos they set up cant run them either Otumoetai pool Mount hot pool same story same council different day whats new ?

Only 10 years of life

Posted on 19-05-2011 15:07 | By Teaboy

How much do you spend, Murray, on asset that only has 10 years of life left. It would be irresponsible to spend $500k on that pool. Bulldoze it! Think about alternatives for Otumoetai Aquatics

IF...

Posted on 19-05-2011 15:37 | By morepork

some of the information in these posts is correct, then it certainly looks like the whole situation needs review. IF Otumoetai swimming club is losing members at a rapid rate as noted by Watchdog, IF no-one seems interested in keeping the place maintained (despite allocation of funds to do so), IF it's projected working life is only 10 years, THEN there is indeed a case to be made for closing it. Pillocksworth has hit the nail on the head when he says everyone wants something, but they want someone else to pay for it. I also agree with his comment that facilities like this should be a joint responsibility between the school, the swim club, and the public (through the elected representatives). As a keen swimmer myself (although I have never used the Otumoetai pool) I believe we are pretty well served in Tauranga and as well as the excellent aquatic facilities we also have the Pacific Ocean on our doorstep and it costs us very little... My bottom line comment on this would be to weigh carefully all of the "interested parties" representations, understand what led to this level of unhygienic neglect (would you give money to people who have a mindset which says it is OK to let things deteriorate to the level shown in the photos? Or an employer with such little regard for staff that they would let them work in these conditions?), then either close it and re-allocate the funds, or let whoever takes it over know that they are on notice and unless there is a change of attitude, the facility will be closed. It is ironic that with people clamouring for funds, there are some places where they don't know what to do with the funds even when they get them.

Its not a coucil problem.

Posted on 19-05-2011 17:43 | By Tony

Here is the perfect oportunity to ask a "STAFF MEMBER " or "DEPARTMENT MANAGER" Who let this happen Its a staff screw up Who was collecting a pay cheque for making sure this want happening .The council via the rate payer hire people to ensure this sort of thing dont happen ....Dont We?

10 years minimum

Posted on 19-05-2011 19:22 | By Murray.Guy

We're advised the Otumoetai pool has a minimum 10 years before significant remedial work POSSIBLY required! Keep in mind Memorial pool HAS NOT HAD a 'state of play' audit and is older (early 50's?) and built on swamp! The state of the Otumoetai pool is grossly unacceptable, regardless of any reports and TCAL are to carry out these basic remedial works with urgency. TCAL Governance are reliant on staff advice, and they have had a lot on their plate since the demise of the previous managers that went belly up! Hopefully this matter will result in greater monitoring and a re-prioritising of expenditure.

Well Well Well

Posted on 20-05-2011 00:12 | By Nigel Barker

Have to say "AGAIN" there sure as is a need for "Citizens Monitoring Council" Good onya Murray *bows*. Rest assured, keep up the good work you are displaying to date. I have no doubt that in the course of time you will reap the appropriate reward. Now where is THE BOSS??? Stuart are you about? What do you have to say Stuart...? We (your subjects) would like to hear from you if you could (with respect of course Your Worship) just spare a wee wee moment from your luncheon ?? PLEASE!! PS ~ Stu matey please do remember that we did ask and give you the chance to respond."Citizens Monitoring Council"

Pillocksworth hits the nail on the head

Posted on 20-05-2011 08:50 | By kiwiwayno

The most sensible comment out of all of this was made by Pillocksworth who notes that it should be put out to tender. It seems to me that this CCO is entirely incompetent and is relying solely on council support to exist. We (Ratepayers) are paying to subsidise all sorts of nonsense (ie cheap gym memberships at Baywave) when the facilities are in a state of disrepair. I spend a lot of time traveling the country and using other facilities around NZ while I am away and the best ones are those that have been contracted out to a 3rd party to run. It's a commercial world out there - time for TCAL to hand over the reins to someone who knows what they are doing. The facilities are a disgrace and to shave staff eating/drinking in the same area as they carry out water quality testing is a disgrace. Maybe a CEO with a bit more of an operational focus and experience would deal with this instead of an accountant.......just saying.

Its still wrtong Murray

Posted on 20-05-2011 13:53 | By Teaboy

That pool was built as an outdoor pool. It had a makeshift covering with a plastic fabric roof. The condensation in the winter was unbelievable and that is when the framing timbers of the building deteriorated to the extent that they are now. Later fixes of the air flow helped control the condensation but too late. The fact is that this pool loses money it is used by the Swimming Club and the College. Very little use is made of it by the public. But you have those figures, Murray, so you know. By closing Otumoetai TCALs bottom line goes up not down. Memorial pool is in a similar state but worth redeveloping. Otumoetai is a badly planned facility on the wrong site. Fixing it will simply keep the losses rolling along subsidised by Baywave and the Mount Hot Pools

TEABOY: SUBSIDIES YA WOT!

Posted on 20-05-2011 18:54 | By Crash test dummies

Come on mate, Murray has not got a clue about the money in TCAL, Baywave and the Hot Pool loose money also, heaps of it, just look at the rates bills mate. The one thing that is right is that the bottom line will improve, THE HUGE TCAL LOSS WILL BE A LITTLE LESS THAN BEFORE.

Looks like the old Arataki Centre and every thing else they trash

Posted on 20-05-2011 19:48 | By Hebegeebies

CR Murray Guy you have every reason to be gobsmacked by the condition of this complex it is a bloody awful disgrace.Who let the pool complex get into this condition and what were they thinking of .Surely the esteemed Councillor David Stewart the TCC Council watchdog representative on TCAL must in his capacity as a director of of the CCO have visited the Otumoetai Pool at least a couple of times in the past 6 months - if not why not . The position looks irretrievable so dismantle the structures do up the changing sheds and use it as a summer pool only saving ratepayers a fortune.Stick it to the School while you are at it and lets have a written report from Deputy Mayor Stewart on this sorry social and financial mess.

PROVEN LEADERSHIP RIDES AGAIN

Posted on 20-05-2011 23:17 | By TERMITE

So with the massive amount of staff at TCAl amounting to some 100 odd and in total the 800+ staff in TCC we find that "no one knows" what is going on. So what are all these BOFFINS actually doing day in and day out? $500,000 is allocated to fix this mess yet nothing has happened for two years? Where is the 'ratepayers champion' on this one?

MONEY LAUNDERING

Posted on 21-05-2011 09:44 | By MISS ADVENTURE

Actually the best answer is to give it back to the swimming club 'as is where is' that means the losses will stop immediately, no more repair bills and of course less staff. All of that leads to less rates. OF COURSE THEY WILL NOT DO THAT!

YEAH RIGHT

Posted on 21-05-2011 10:10 | By Vomit

Guess that means that the enclosure was a cheap fix, maybe they just replace it and that will last another 10 years and everyone is happy. Not a good idea to spend up like on Baywave at some $25m yet again. The whole pool thing looses $10m a year and that just adds to rates.

Quick hide it B4 someone uses the pool

Posted on 22-05-2011 08:45 | By Investigator

It is worse than we thought Jim (I mean Murray) what sort of aliens have invaded us it looks like something out of a 3rd World country.Many heads must roll over this pigsty.

We dont need another Baywave

Posted on 24-05-2011 18:20 | By PLONKER

Look it is a changing room not a palace, a coat of paint and a patch here and there it will be fine. Cost all up say $20,000 max, can get that from the Selwyn Park budget and then give back the $500,000 becasue don't need it.

LANDSLIDE UPSIDE

Posted on 25-05-2011 10:59 | By PLONKER

Then you have a 'mud slide' with a shower at the bottom to clean up, that is kids heaven and on chemicals needed as then "green' right. WIN WIN if you ask me.

COUNCIL APPROVED MONEY

Posted on 27-05-2011 08:48 | By Vomit

Before Warren banks said that "Council approved $2.5m" for the Mount Hot Pools, then there is 500k here. So does that mean the pools don't have any money? to pay for these things? Compare that to the Hockey, they are to provide for the field replacement from income (they have not) looks like they are just following the same path as these costly Pool setups by having a spend up along the way then when have to fix it all up mess in the end then just putting the hand out for more $$$ this is like an endless gravy train and the Ratepayers are footing the fuel bill for the train!

WHAT POOL ASSETS ?

Posted on 28-05-2011 12:31 | By YOGI

he bigger and flasher they are the more they cost to run, maintain and repair. The more of them you have the same applies, get with the PRGRAM boys and sort ya mess out once and for all, make a real decision, clean up the mess.